Shirley Ann Manning was born April 29, 1937 in Evergreen Township, Becker County, Minnesota the daughter of William and Caroline (Fischer) Brekke. She passed away November 3, 2021 in Fargo, North Dakota at Essentia Health.

She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and grew up and attended school in Frazee. Shirley proudly served her country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from September 1955 to September of 1957 following her basic training at fort McClellan in Alabama. 

Shirley was assigned to Company D Secretarial School in Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana and later sent to the Pentagon in Fort Meyer Virginia serving as a secretary in Research and Development in the Department of the Army. Shirley was proud of her time at the Pentagon, marching in President Eisenhower’s inaugural parade, and serving as Honor Guard for WAC Military funerals.

On September 26, 1959 Shirley was united in marriage to Joseph Manning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Shirley and Joseph were able to share in 60 years of marriage before Joseph’s passing in 2019.

Shirley worked for WDAY, Bill Snyder Films, Military Entrance Air Force Recruiting, as a clerk at the Fargo Post Office and later owned Creative Costumes Shop in Moorhead.  Shirley returned to college and graduated from NDSU with an Associate Degree in Horticulture in 1977.

She enjoyed gardening, genealogy, and traveling. Her favorite trips were to Norway, Egypt, and Hawaii. She shared her passion for horticulture with fellow members of 3 horticulture clubs.  She was also a member of the AMVETS and DAV in Fargo and the Sons of Norway.

She is survived by her children: Sheryl Little, Suzanne (Darrell) Kersting, Joseph J. Manning; grandchildren: Sharla Little, Michael Little, Jeffery Little, Mathew (Erin) Little, Joseph W. (Amanda) Manning, Jessica (Noah) Sperling; 11 great grandchildren; siblings: Meg Balvitsch, Gloria (Dick) Dorow, Carol Brekke, Karen (Ross) Oie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents: William and Caroline Brekke; husband Joseph G. Manning; son Jeffery in infancy; sister: Lois Hofer and brother-in-law: Ron Balvitsch.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday November 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. 

Visitaiton will be Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. with 7 p.m. prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee.

Burial with Military Honors will be in the church cemetery. 

Arrangements are with the Furey Funeral Home of Frazee.